How to Protect Your Child From Measles

A large number of children have been detected with measles in Mumbai which has led to panic among parents. The measles virus spreads via air through droplets when one who is infected tends to sneeze or cough and the other person inhales the infected droplets. It can also spread by direct contact with fluids from the nose or mouth of an infected person. It is the need of the hour to protect children from infection with this deadly disease.

TIPS TO PROTECT KIDS FROM MEASLES

[1] DISINFECT RAPIDLY TOUCHED SURFACES

Measles is contagious and the virus can live for up to 3-4 hours on surfaces infected patients have touched. So, it is essential to disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, faucets, kitchen countertops, and furniture.

[2] GET YOUR CHILD VACCINATED

Parents should make sure that their children take the Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine as suggested by the expert.

[3] GIVE PLENTY OF FLUIDS TO CHILDREN

It is important to take care of immunity to protect against virus. Children should be given plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

[4] AVOID CROWDED PLACES

Limit the child’s exposure to crowds. Avoid going to crowded places or limit visitors at home.

[5] WEAR MASKS

Parents should make sure that their children wear masks by covering their faces in public.

[6] MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD WASHES HANDS

Try to wash the child’s hands with soap and water to avoid any kind of infection.

[7] EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING FOR INFANTS

Breast milk is loaded with antibodies and helps to fight infections. It is essential to exclusively breastfeed babies during first six months and thereafter along with complimentary diet till 18 months of child’s age.

All About Measles

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease.

Transmission

It is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons.

Symptoms

Initial symptoms include high fever, a runny nose and bloodshot eyes. Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards.

Health Impact

It can cause life-threatening complications including encephalitis (an infection that leads to swelling of the brain), severe diarrhoea and dehydration, pneumonia, ear infections and permanent vision loss.

Treatment

The disease is preventable through two doses of a safe and effective vaccine.

Criteria for Measles elimination

Measles elimination is defined as the absence of endemic measles virus transmission in a region or other defined geographical area for more than 12 months.

Conversely, a country is no longer considered to be measles free if the virus returns and transmission is sustained continuously for more than a year.

Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&RI)

M&RI is a partnership formed in 2001 of the American Red Cross, CDC, the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO).

It is committed to achieving the Global Vaccine Action Plan goal of measles and rubella elimination in at least five WHO regions by 2020.